tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16057607362879534952024-03-14T02:54:57.565-07:00This Mommy's Journey<i>An adventure through life requiring patience, humor, and being faster than my children. Follow me on my journey.</i>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-17610354588482516352011-03-16T17:30:00.000-07:002011-03-16T17:30:55.065-07:00Thank you sir, may I have another?So between then and now has been a roller coaster. There's been concern, a birth, more concern, moving, and PPD.<br />
I'll start with the moving. Shortly after my son was born, we decided to move to a bigger place. Our current lease was up and they were raising the rent. I found a place a couple towns over, same price, more than twice the room. However, I'm packing and moving and cleaning alone. With a newborn. No stress there.<br />
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Now with the pregnancy stuff. I knew while pregnant that things just didn't feel right. The last trimester was difficult. The baby was measuring big and they were talking 10+ lbs and possible c-section. I was having dreams of having a dead baby.<br />
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I know it's normal to feel stressed about child birth, but I'd never had dreams like this before. I kept telling the doctors that something wasn't right but everything looked fine and I was dismissed.<br />
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At 36 weeks, my water broke. When Mark was born, the cord was wrapped around his neck and he'd been having massive decelerations prior to being born. The nurses and midwife were in a very concerned state, but not panicking. They were very concerned and forcing me into <a href="http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/laborbasics/a/pushing.htm">purple pushing</a> to get him out more quickly. When he was born..he was blue...no, not blue, he was so blue he looked like a grayish-black...and then...he didn't breathe. I was terrified. Thankfully with some brisk(read rough) stimulation, he caught his breath and pinked up. He was a healthy 7lbs 7oz at 4 weeks early. Can you imagine what I would have faced with another 4 weeks? How tight his cord would have gotten as he'd plumped up? The midwife couldn't even slip it over his head, it was so tight. She had to turn the baby to untangle him.<br />
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After giving birth, Edwin informed me that he'd also been having dreams of still birth. Don't tell me that there isn't foresight. We knew what was up. I wish doctors would listen to intuition more. We know when something's wrong with our bodies.<br />
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When Mark Alejandro was born(see picture):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFacSnmBrtDrZeHFK2VRWr895mi-g8fWqFmho2o9NXT0SexWKZ-YJdPaojwix_Rk3RdyrSKiQfL2CVuI-xgQr1G9x7t1m06MUMWN3RAbOOPpfNZR2x4KGnFLmk1fSQrMK86G-3Q1BzT1xA/s1600/168291_1728800147086_1450920832_1733286_582097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFacSnmBrtDrZeHFK2VRWr895mi-g8fWqFmho2o9NXT0SexWKZ-YJdPaojwix_Rk3RdyrSKiQfL2CVuI-xgQr1G9x7t1m06MUMWN3RAbOOPpfNZR2x4KGnFLmk1fSQrMK86G-3Q1BzT1xA/s320/168291_1728800147086_1450920832_1733286_582097_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFacSnmBrtDrZeHFK2VRWr895mi-g8fWqFmho2o9NXT0SexWKZ-YJdPaojwix_Rk3RdyrSKiQfL2CVuI-xgQr1G9x7t1m06MUMWN3RAbOOPpfNZR2x4KGnFLmk1fSQrMK86G-3Q1BzT1xA/s1600/168291_1728800147086_1450920832_1733286_582097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">He quickly jaundiced. </span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDp-qSLYmndngkZnNfs0LqW4AfO7nPesjLRYdaKUAzdSUxG-hFcas6Ayt_hquvsvcT2o0BVe2XkyDilO5IvZXj4fsWoEmeSUikX4ZNWib9WIz924SuK-u8cxu7yRScMlb4Odjq9GnMowiB/s1600/100_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDp-qSLYmndngkZnNfs0LqW4AfO7nPesjLRYdaKUAzdSUxG-hFcas6Ayt_hquvsvcT2o0BVe2XkyDilO5IvZXj4fsWoEmeSUikX4ZNWib9WIz924SuK-u8cxu7yRScMlb4Odjq9GnMowiB/s320/100_1088.JPG" width="320" /></a>see how yellow he is?</div><br />
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We waited and waited but his levels just kept rising. He eventually had to be on formula and under a bili light because he had <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000995.htm">breast milk jaundice</a>. This was following having to have formula because he was premie and it was "the rules". That's a rant for another day.<br />
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So, after all that time on formula, my milk died off. I'm hanging by a thread right now, he's mostly bottle fed, and once again, I am a failure at nursing. Go me. Three times. Gotta be some kind of record. *sigh*<br />
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Once we got the jaundice cleared up, I started noticing that I wasn't doing so great. In fact, I was doing terribly. I was having rages that would leave me shaking for hours. I had less than no patience for the kids. My husband had suddenly morphed into the stupidest man alive, and I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel.<br />
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I kept telling myself it would get better, it always did. It was the sleep depravation, it was the exhaustion, it was the hormones.... After 2 weeks, I wasn't doing any better.. after 4 I was thinking of new and creative ways to commit suicide. I couldn't breathe half the time and my heart rate was erratic. The smallest thing would leave me with a panic attack and crying.<br />
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I had up times. Times where I almost felt normal. One of those times was at my 6 week check up. I reported I was feeling fine.. A few days later...I was far from fine. I need help. Now, if only we could afford it.<br />
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The birth and subsequent medical issues Mark has had has left us with a large debt to be paid. Our insurance is less than great and most everything comes out of our own pockets(what do we pay them for again?). I can't see going to talk to someone when we can't afford the debt we currently have.<br />
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So I put my head down and I plow through. What choice do I have? I hope that we'll soon be able to afford me seeing someone, but in the mean time I focus on things that give me pause about self harm...not the least of which is, I don't have a will. Where will Lori go? Obviously the boys can stay with their Dad, but who takes Lori? Do I really want George to raise her? He's barely got his shit together with his current family..how would throwing Lori in there work? So, I remind myself during dark moments and power through.<br />
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One day, the light will come back. It always does. Depression isn't new for me. Until then, I take the joy where I can find it and barrel through another day hoping tomorrow will be better.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-78466011537981193162010-07-11T18:35:00.000-07:002010-07-11T18:35:25.575-07:002nd trimesterBaby and I are good. The kids are starting to get excited about the coming baby.<br />
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Edwin, David, and I went to Ikea yesterday and looked at the baby stuff. David wanted to help pick the crib, which made me very happy. He's getting onboard!<br />
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Lori has spent her birthday with her Dad, and is supposed to stay the week but she's giving attitude and driving her step mom crazy, so we'll see how it goes :(<br />
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Michelle is off with her Aunt for the next 3 weeks. It's nice to have some down time with just one kiddo.<br />
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Not much else is new. Slow life.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-84319143520839219082010-06-01T13:11:00.000-07:002010-06-01T13:11:14.893-07:00Week 7I'm 7 weeks pregnant as of today.<br />
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So far it's been pretty easy. Things are going well so far. Have my first appointment on the 10th.<br />
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I think I'm working on a bladder infection. That does not excite me at all.<br />
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I am holding my breath until the first trimester is over. Then I'll go REALLY crazy. :)<br />
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I seem to be having some pretty gnarly blood sugar issues. I have to eat every couple hours or I get irritable, shaky, nauseated, and dizzy. Fun at every turn.<br />
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But all in all it's been easy so far. Only thrown up once. I am tired a lot but not daily. It comes and goes. Some days are great, others I wish the kids could do their own thing all day so I could sleep.<br />
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See?! There's good reason for having large gaps between children!<br />
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The kids are doing well. David is getting tall. Still can't say his R's. Still w's. "Pawents" "Lowi" Kinda cute honestly.<br />
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Lori's almost done with this year of school, she's excited to start summer. Not sure what we'll do this summer but we have some thoughts. Do some fun "stay-cation" type stuff. Local camping, day trips to local places. Can have fun on a budget, right?Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-73045687109742144032010-05-06T09:42:00.000-07:002010-05-06T09:43:12.876-07:00What doesn't suck.<span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1) My children laughing..over anything. Especially my youngest as he's some how/somewhere picked up putting his head down on his arm and slamming his other fist on the table when he laughs</span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">. It's adorable.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2) Watching my children discover new things. It's like learning all over again.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3) Watching my favorite shows while relaxing after a long day. I love me time.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4) Good times with good friends.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">5) Knowing that I have an amazing husband at the end of each day.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">6) Explaining my family to other people. It sounds so much worse than it is.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">7) Having a net to catch me when I fail. It happens more often than I'd like.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What doesn't suck for you? </span></b>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-34231673168510337362010-04-27T13:37:00.000-07:002010-04-27T13:37:24.342-07:00A career?Today I'm wondering if I should get a career. I feel like I should be doing more. It's been 10 years since high school and while I have 2 beautiful children I feel like I want to do more.<br />
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I've been considering for some time the prospect of being a midwife. I want to help women have successful safe births. I've been called a little militant about hospital births and I guess that true on some level.<br />
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Hospital creates a worse case scenerio and intervenes in ways that create more problems than they solve. Women have been birthing with only other women to help forever. Even in current society, Europe relys almost exclusively on midwives for non-complex births. They still vaginally deliver breech and multiples. There are so many unnesscary c-sections.<br />
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But do I become direct entry or a nurse-midwife? Do I instead just be a doula and help women who birth in the hospital?<br />
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Choices.<br />
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I have to decide.<br />
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Opinions?Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-91914119138862310772010-04-26T10:13:00.000-07:002010-04-26T10:13:40.538-07:00Life continues onSo we've been super busy moving into our new place(pictures to come probably) and getting into the swing of things after spring break and spring week.<br />
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We're almost unpacked...well, we have less boxes to unpack than when we started. I hate unpacking when there's not enough space. I feel like if I just tried harder I could find a home for everything but the facts are that there simply isn't enough room!<br />
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Edwin and I have been discussing hanging pictures for, well, two weeks now. We've yet to do it. I started doing it on my own but they were slightly crooked and Edwin was all "blah blah blah deposit, holes, haveyoulostyoureverlovinmind?!" so I gave up until he can help.<br />
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You see, Edwin has a system. He holds the picture against the wall with a level to make sure it's straight, then has me mark the corners, then he takes it down and measures the distance from the top of the frame to the nail holder-thingy. Measure twice nail once. Generally it means that the pictures hang perfectly without making many holes only centimeters apart(my method).<br />
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As you can tell, that's a totally lame way to hang a photo. What is hanging pictures without worrying about if that new hole will hold above the old one?! It's all about the risk.<br />
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So, we haven't done that. Probably because in our last place we were on the phones with divorce lawyers before it got done. We have VERY different views on it and each of us may or may not be ever so slightly crazy control freak-y. Possibly..it's been mentioned a couple times by various <strike>crackpots</strike> friends.<br />
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The children are loving the new place and seem to barely remember the old one. It's probably the indoor pool.<br />
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We also got a new cat name Mojo Thunder. He's quiet large. About 16lbs. He's between 7-10 and a sweety. He's got a mind of his own but is pretty good with the kids. He leaves before he scratches. Our biggest challange has been David wanting to play fighting games with the cat.. Apparently a 3year old with a foam sword rushing you is scarry to kitty. Go figure!<br />
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I just got back from helping a family friend through some tough times. She's early in her pregnancy and was on bedrest for a week following some spotting. It seemed to be adhesions from her c-section 9 years ago, but better safe than sorry. She was also having some emotional stuff so I stayed to keep her company and help her with her kids. While the circumstances were less than ideal, it was fun.<br />
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Ok, I should go finish my house work so that the house doesn't totally come crashing down. Perhaps unpack some more pesky boxes.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-85156533413189877332010-03-23T14:08:00.000-07:002010-03-23T14:08:51.252-07:00Not DeadI'm not dead. I know I've been MIA but packing and moving in 3 weeks is not an easy thing. We finally have closed out the old house and turned in the keys this morning.<br />
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Our apartment is working out well. It's crowded with boxes right now but it's slowly coming together. Just have to put in the time to make it perfect. Not to mention the storage, or lack there of.<br />
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We have downsized a ton, but may need to do more.<br />
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Will provide pics and more info soon..Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-78348438644043076882010-02-17T10:11:00.000-08:002010-02-17T10:11:59.341-08:00Apartment livingTo conserve money we're considering going back to apt. living. We could save a couple hundred dollars in rent plus save on utilities. We could use that money to pay down our debt and be that much closer to where we want to be. The only pause we have is that we HATE apt. living! I mean....HATE IT.<br />
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But, it would be for just a short while. We'll have to downsize some of our stuff, but that needs to be done anyway. It's hard to see a down side when the short term won't be too bad and the long term goals will be met.<br />
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Plus, it's less area for me to clean!Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-77716917057533603262010-02-11T20:43:00.000-08:002010-02-11T20:43:02.276-08:00My first cake!I made my first cake from scratch today! I also made macaroni and cheese from scratch! I made fried chicken as well. I think MAYBE the cake will turn out ok. The cheese and chicken left something to be desired. Learning experience I guess. Hoping to do more scratch cooking but good lord it's time consuming and messy.. I'm in denial about my kitchen.<br />
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Thankfully today was a better day. Lori seems to have moved past the whining stage. She spent her day doing school work because it's preferable to doing nothing. So she's catching up! and she is not a pain anymore! I hope hope hope hope this continues.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-62418043962094232372010-02-09T14:58:00.000-08:002010-02-09T14:59:48.837-08:00Like a bowl of spagetti that never gets eaten<b>That's what my 8 year old daughter told me. She was in a snit about her life. It sucks. No one has it worse. She has to DO THINGS before she can go outside to play, she has to do school work every day, she has to do her own laundry, she has to do her punishment for the full amount of time given. AWFUL!!!! She says "My life is just like a bowl of spagetti that never gets eaten!!"</b><br />
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<b>I just don't know what her problem is. I swear, recently she's been so freaking moody that I'd swear she's going to start her period. Drives me crazy. I know that she's just doing what all kids do. You know, your parents are the meanest and eating your vegtables will kill you and doing chores is the worst.</b><br />
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<b>Some days I just want to run away. She says she's convinced I'm going to get mad and strangle her. *DISCLAIMER* I've never hurt her or put my hands on her. I don't know what her deal is. I just know that it makes living with her difficult. </b><br />
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<b>The End</b>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-35902189536189140502010-01-26T21:03:00.000-08:002010-01-26T21:03:51.208-08:00Oh please don't let this be Griswold worthyWe've planned our family vacation for this year. We've got the dates set, the activities planned, and all the last minute crisises that inevitably pop up when things seem perfect.<br />
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This year, in April(on Edwin's birthday no less) we're going to Alabama to see my family. Yes, I'm from Alabama. No, I don't speak with an accent. Yes, I wore shoes to school. Any other questions?<br />
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All kidding aside, my family there can be <strike>difficult</strike> <strike>annoying</strike> interesting. As it is, we're apparently flying into <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>TANTRUM 2010</b></span> as my father and his parents aren't seeing eye to eye. Again.<br />
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Last time I was there visiting, nearly eight years ago, I ended up being basically asked to leave my grandparents house because of my dad. It was a mess, largely started by my father, that resulted in me getting the brunt of the difficulty.<br />
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This time, I'm going prepared. I'll have a back up plan and a no-nonsense attitude. Those of you who know me in real life know that right now, I'm lying to myself.<br />
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How is it family is the master at minupulation? They always seem to know exactly what to push to get what they want. That's not to say that I'm guilt free, I've been told I minupulate, mine just isn't concious like other peoples. I don't set out to do it.<br />
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Going home to Alabama raises some interesting issues. I love the enviorment and atmosphere and charm of the south, I just don't especially like my immediate family. Well, that's not true, I just don't like SOME of my immediate family. There's always a few who stir things up.<br />
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This time we're going down for a week and we'll be going to the AWESOME aquarium in <a href="http://www.tnaqua.org/Home.aspx">Chattanooga, Tennessee</a>. My father took me there once before and I remember being in awe of it! I know the kids will love it. The plan is then to stay in a local motel for the night, then drive the couple hours to <a href="http://www.spacecamp.com/museum/">Huntsville, AL</a> for a little something special for Edwin. He dreamed of becoming an astronaut as a child. This will be an awesome exerpience for him as well as the kids. The rest of the time, we'll likely stay visiting family. I'm eager to introduce my husband to my family and show him where I grew up.<br />
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I want to show the kids fire ants(notice SHOW not introduce!) and hopefully avoid chiggers. Using mason jars to catch fireflies in the evenings. The things that I fondly recall from childhood. I want them to have a memory of my grandparents and all their awesomness. Because, with kids, they're awesome.<br />
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We'll see how things pan out, hopefully drama free as this is our ONLY vacation, but with family, you never know. Just ask Clark Griswold.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7JALv4Mr546zBf1mpaf9gNsZG8J7qumUutf7ctP0iL6qoZamZEUyARWAdUFOME7A2cDVq4X_Qt6CDP_ZniNadKcl1KynXuWyebHlcvJUhxUdgXCxsS4iXMRJCBylBgFE_qbq2aH9v2Xv/s1600-h/christmas_vacation_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7JALv4Mr546zBf1mpaf9gNsZG8J7qumUutf7ctP0iL6qoZamZEUyARWAdUFOME7A2cDVq4X_Qt6CDP_ZniNadKcl1KynXuWyebHlcvJUhxUdgXCxsS4iXMRJCBylBgFE_qbq2aH9v2Xv/s200/christmas_vacation_small.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
</div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-33843297577213418602010-01-20T19:51:00.000-08:002010-01-20T19:51:54.637-08:00Another year without you<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4Ra6v46b1i3nyacs8b0WwjroMLtcbunOBPuWPIYSmGscUTJuKdM88U1ZrIoNzlHBmNMaeHcMbMSSEqgM17utF1sK0isEq2LUZKKSPgzTbQvu5EkCCqXoq5wNOW13Qgoc8at66FuGm_ie/s1600-h/sean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4Ra6v46b1i3nyacs8b0WwjroMLtcbunOBPuWPIYSmGscUTJuKdM88U1ZrIoNzlHBmNMaeHcMbMSSEqgM17utF1sK0isEq2LUZKKSPgzTbQvu5EkCCqXoq5wNOW13Qgoc8at66FuGm_ie/s400/sean.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div>Some of us are fortunate enough to know someone who's a genuinely good person. Who doesn't seem to have a selfish bone in his body or ill word for anyone. I knew someone. He was a good man and a gentle soul. It wasn't a mask or pretend, he just was. His name was "Tex". He was over 6 feet tall and skinny, but was a teddy bear none the less.<br />
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He was a best friend and would have one day been a great husband and father. He had a softer spot than most for children and animals. When he left school he joined the Army. I know that seems to contradict everything I've said about him, but he did it so he could help people. He told "Jessi, this way I can help all over the world."<br />
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While in the Army he met a woman who had a child. He fell madly in love with her. Perhaps just in love with her child. We'll never know.<br />
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They married and seemed happy. He was over the moon to have an instant family. He loved her little boy just as if he were his own.<br />
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A few months after they got married, Tex came down to visit as he was stationed the next state over. He mentioned that he was having some marital troubles and suspected his new bride might be cheating. We were not surprised because we had not thought them a good match. He had been firm so we had supported him in his happiness. He was concerned about what to do, about how it would effect his new son. We encouraged marriage counseling and perhaps divorce. He said he'd talk with her and think it over.<br />
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After that weekend we said our goodbyes and parted ways. The next day we received a phone call asking if Tex was still with us. He'd never arrived home and never reported back from leave. We called hospitals, police, anyone we knew in between our home and his. No one knew where Tex was.<br />
We wrung our hands and searched on our own in known places. Two days later we got a phone call from police. Tex had been found dead by some hikers. He'd driven up to a favorite camping spot and killed himself in his car. His car had been littered with religious brochers, from churches in the area, explaining what happens after death. There had also been a note. To his wife, his friends, and his son. He had felt it was better this way.<br />
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The Army held a nice funeral for him and his wife brought her lover to the funeral. She left before it was completely over. Tex's parents were devastated. The loss of their son and the cold distance from his wife during their grief.<br />
<br />
When Tex's grandmother stood up to speak of him, she said a life times worth in just a few sentences. Her closing was "I can't believe he's gone. My gentle giant is gone." That line still brings tears to my eyes. It was so him. He was a gentle giant.<br />
<br />
Our gentle giant has been gone 8 years today. I miss him just as keenly now as I did then. He's left a hole that will never heal and never be filled.<br />
<br />
Sean Michael "Tex" Smith. You lived with honor and kindness. The world should strive to be more like you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLzpe_SHz0Ml5wfD4aJHErNOE6zhk0UTkWfcfHHoSqpvorQTBtP_0O7tTGp-R8_zT_SgQ9UZYtoNH-rA_aFLC7LosQm2sKFqAOWBvxwv3Kksjda71mXLquRMCa1VLrH5EQPDZFk4LRJjL/s1600-h/thegroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLzpe_SHz0Ml5wfD4aJHErNOE6zhk0UTkWfcfHHoSqpvorQTBtP_0O7tTGp-R8_zT_SgQ9UZYtoNH-rA_aFLC7LosQm2sKFqAOWBvxwv3Kksjda71mXLquRMCa1VLrH5EQPDZFk4LRJjL/s400/thegroup.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><br />
All of us, having fun about 6 months before he died. From right to left we have: Ian, Anthony, me(sitting), Sean(standing), Emily(sitting), Sharron(standing), and Chad. Behind the camera is Holly.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-7459620669222291402010-01-19T12:50:00.000-08:002010-01-19T12:53:45.282-08:00Starving artist<div style="color: #660000;">I'm working on a book. I can see the concept in my head. I know exactly how I want it to look and what I want it to say. I made some great starts in the book formatting last night. I had the 'bones' of it put together and when I went to save, the program crashed and hours of work was lost. I was beyond furious.<br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;">Thankfully Edwin has been super supportive. He's very behind the idea and thinks it will be great.<br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;">The start up cost is prohibitive. We're going to have to be stealthy with the budget to do what I want to do.<br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;">I'm so thankful that I've got a supportive family who's willing to bend over backwards to facilitate my dream.<br />
</div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-62080715282094570242010-01-18T11:48:00.000-08:002010-01-18T11:48:09.696-08:00Christmas Pictures(FINALLY!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8Rcj1FxhNRYlHM2MJi5E4HvsDI43Pb6x_dQtYCbLFcAB_Z_AE0KNODDCjuunucuvlMMTGVspg3FU5UMr8A870sfQ3RhYul2-AEP5OUIWRO4HZYyBDeQh99r5ghImnUO1RFR6ALr__5CQ/s1600-h/100_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8Rcj1FxhNRYlHM2MJi5E4HvsDI43Pb6x_dQtYCbLFcAB_Z_AE0KNODDCjuunucuvlMMTGVspg3FU5UMr8A870sfQ3RhYul2-AEP5OUIWRO4HZYyBDeQh99r5ghImnUO1RFR6ALr__5CQ/s320/100_0896.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZcB0UXnOu1ltnhjfI22CsvUQ__pzHB4VyeMQpNwjp2Ix9gUWjsGm2mDg4GtaiTAISOyh82ed5Giw0QWvGE_iroZwz3qUz2dgzRyC0CIlP1fWt-hG4VjIB4bEEIUxaE_XIwInSlYA4otJ/s1600-h/100_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZcB0UXnOu1ltnhjfI22CsvUQ__pzHB4VyeMQpNwjp2Ix9gUWjsGm2mDg4GtaiTAISOyh82ed5Giw0QWvGE_iroZwz3qUz2dgzRyC0CIlP1fWt-hG4VjIB4bEEIUxaE_XIwInSlYA4otJ/s320/100_0897.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcoBsY6jH-ZHvEHG_CHUbQ2P2Gt1__ONik4Xu7B3V01v_Hz59Sm9bQRnoE0JKDv-PPsUeQUGhcuxYEZlvrfzUbgWLNCRSYStVUJ2mlkol-ZIbY5hn-hG-FSvTTri_4e58n3PJS0PBig5C/s1600-h/100_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcoBsY6jH-ZHvEHG_CHUbQ2P2Gt1__ONik4Xu7B3V01v_Hz59Sm9bQRnoE0JKDv-PPsUeQUGhcuxYEZlvrfzUbgWLNCRSYStVUJ2mlkol-ZIbY5hn-hG-FSvTTri_4e58n3PJS0PBig5C/s320/100_0898.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi656s5hEEASxtpo-VFk0XRtEQiFg0fnMvFfERtHCmPvlkznYulkWWH9BFC7kELNdgHYPLQ6OROUP8CxpY0rh32rWnz9e4GdS-4fAJv3fsTgAGvYOC88qLd_XF3jju8lSnrL1g_zsa6MC18/s1600-h/100_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi656s5hEEASxtpo-VFk0XRtEQiFg0fnMvFfERtHCmPvlkznYulkWWH9BFC7kELNdgHYPLQ6OROUP8CxpY0rh32rWnz9e4GdS-4fAJv3fsTgAGvYOC88qLd_XF3jju8lSnrL1g_zsa6MC18/s320/100_0899.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76BfLYz6uSO_oJpdBfR2Dj1aQB_9EnYdOlgYgrVR-QRZfC-Gr0QQG-0q9fA8IbZC5oW1VWCB4hoq4ekvgP4DzEc4J4YkrSMsTGs05Dl8gHibDN-LmWzw4Rv3gYu2GBN-r5NocPVkIBWOX/s1600-h/100_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76BfLYz6uSO_oJpdBfR2Dj1aQB_9EnYdOlgYgrVR-QRZfC-Gr0QQG-0q9fA8IbZC5oW1VWCB4hoq4ekvgP4DzEc4J4YkrSMsTGs05Dl8gHibDN-LmWzw4Rv3gYu2GBN-r5NocPVkIBWOX/s320/100_0900.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4AOvKSt6TFAFxUcK6ilbtjKQFb4u-Pdpg-K-mwjx3JZEhVspWN4hBHAVoX2-qczdjvwqqSUalrTfdCpDdlr6bUnJNXo6-TyNUIyLOUzr3sENHQcIxX_FWktHnOuHCsUv1WoDQeXk9bK2/s1600-h/100_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4AOvKSt6TFAFxUcK6ilbtjKQFb4u-Pdpg-K-mwjx3JZEhVspWN4hBHAVoX2-qczdjvwqqSUalrTfdCpDdlr6bUnJNXo6-TyNUIyLOUzr3sENHQcIxX_FWktHnOuHCsUv1WoDQeXk9bK2/s320/100_0901.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLYOpHys2nssrsitC4HG9WjFua8sildUhtCUohRQNJr8yrkh5C5VXc1fgVKpFtv1Dfzwn9YxGCvUNbMWiQ8RLUE9tEM98C7jdC2ulMgU-U8NGu2GW8620oIYLVRb6HYJZMZIl5cQYk2rs/s1600-h/100_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLYOpHys2nssrsitC4HG9WjFua8sildUhtCUohRQNJr8yrkh5C5VXc1fgVKpFtv1Dfzwn9YxGCvUNbMWiQ8RLUE9tEM98C7jdC2ulMgU-U8NGu2GW8620oIYLVRb6HYJZMZIl5cQYk2rs/s320/100_0902.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PnwuGl7lkynDAlNLgNoMd7oz2Odl4g6vOoYr9MYGeRte1YzNZPksCvgb0w3PfJUaEOz5OgdcvF37GOj62F31MXRdtMt9ziRZWTp2nbBDpr6SjjkYw4OIBwjriPS0gGTP4yIDvfF01Ux6/s1600-h/100_0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PnwuGl7lkynDAlNLgNoMd7oz2Odl4g6vOoYr9MYGeRte1YzNZPksCvgb0w3PfJUaEOz5OgdcvF37GOj62F31MXRdtMt9ziRZWTp2nbBDpr6SjjkYw4OIBwjriPS0gGTP4yIDvfF01Ux6/s320/100_0903.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EN5MnmI5RWmWZMpYeL0nMlNjGGzJhExAky_YKU8wdkJhlSBeqFo1U-AxBLgoaH826DUHSavO-S1FnMPR4Lk7HsyUTkffiXoyEUEIRyNA8jS5vFDD9L2miLt5ndLoAabJBJLMG4sFS_Je/s1600-h/100_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EN5MnmI5RWmWZMpYeL0nMlNjGGzJhExAky_YKU8wdkJhlSBeqFo1U-AxBLgoaH826DUHSavO-S1FnMPR4Lk7HsyUTkffiXoyEUEIRyNA8jS5vFDD9L2miLt5ndLoAabJBJLMG4sFS_Je/s320/100_0904.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C18hfGRC4f2H51fidJMcJY5tVubAB0pVTVwC_vNhxHAPYl2cY-B9XDvpS8xL7eLSOC1m9sE0It09LzECd6gK_FNuYeX0rdYtzKruHMqSN9jEg6B7lMOOY7njcFTU9FBOu1tEZh4TZdU_/s1600-h/100_0905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C18hfGRC4f2H51fidJMcJY5tVubAB0pVTVwC_vNhxHAPYl2cY-B9XDvpS8xL7eLSOC1m9sE0It09LzECd6gK_FNuYeX0rdYtzKruHMqSN9jEg6B7lMOOY7njcFTU9FBOu1tEZh4TZdU_/s320/100_0905.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everyone had a great Christmas, even if it took me a month to post the photos. :-) <br />
</div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-47156467117301979462010-01-12T16:14:00.000-08:002010-01-12T16:15:51.835-08:00Life or something like it<div style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Getting back into the swing of life has been difficult.</b></span> <b>With the holiday break and the loss of a pregnancy my schedule has been lacking. </b><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><b>We are doing well, healing, making no decisions. Just taking life as it comes. Of course, if we decided to make a decision, every one has an opinion. I've gotten more unsoliciated advice about whether to concive again than I did about being pregnant. Everyone knows best. </b><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><b> </b><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><b>But, that's life, that's people. Well intentioned I'm sure but unappreciated.</b><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><b>The kids had a good Christmas and break. Getting back on schedule has been difficult for them. </b><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><b> </b><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Lori got her hair cut short after a long time of fighting about bathing and grooming. Plus, she kept getting food in it, but wouldn't wear it back. So now it's in a type of pixie and she's much happier with it. Have to cut David's because he is starting to look like a q-tip head. All poof on top of a skinny body.</b><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Time is flying by. Lori and Michelle are going to be 9 this year!! David will be 4. 4!!!! How the heck did I end up with a 9 and 4 year old?! </b><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Sometimes, life seems to fly by in the blink of an eye.</b><br />
</div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-83709813959230358422010-01-12T14:49:00.000-08:002010-01-12T14:50:01.341-08:00ChangesI'm trying to change my template and am failing miserably. I'm so irritated at blogger I'm ready to throw something. Please stand by.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-42697560799516073522009-12-28T23:36:00.001-08:002009-12-28T23:38:01.557-08:00Not much to sayNot much to say lately. Having some emotional healing right now. Will post some pictures of the kids from Christmas soon.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-54887255609683255972009-12-06T20:57:00.000-08:002009-12-06T21:59:13.558-08:00Christmas Tree(otherwise known as not my fault)Today the family and I went to get a tree.<br /><br />After using a small fake tree the last few years I insisted on a real tree for this one. David is old enough to enjoy all of it.<br /><br />So we went to a local farm about 10 miles away from us and it had SO many trees. Most of the other farms around here had small lots, but this one was huge! It was family owned and there were giant St. Brenards. They also had an old fashioned train set the kids could drive. The kids were in love with the place. Unfortunately it was also -400 outside. It was SO cold. Numb hands, faces, toes. Frozen ground. It was sunny but COLD!<br /><br />After tromping around for <s>eliventybillion years</s> an hour or better we found what seemed like the perfect tree...except it was 10ft tall..so then we found a less perfect tree that was shorter. So by then, the kids were frozen and whining, and so we chopped it down and had the guy help us haul it to the shaker and bailer. After sending it through the bailer(baler?) it was HUGE compared to the other trees waiting to be claimed. I looked at Edwin and he looked at me. We got the tag and found out it was 8 feet tall! So...that 10fter we bypassed was probaly much larger.<br /><br />We payed for it and then went to put it and those crabby kids in the car. When what to my wondering eyes does appear? A tiny toddler holding protest at the trunk in the rear. Ok, that's cheesy, but it did happen. My 3 year old son declared that under no circumstances was that tree coming home with us. It needed to go back in the field right now! So we put him in his carseat and tried putting our large tree in the trunk. I say tried because we failed. It was wider than our trunks opening. So after some fighting and doubt, I tied it to the roof.<br /><br />Edwin of course was still annoyed I'd talked him into such a large tree and continued to expound on the largeness all the way home. Probably next Christmas he'll require we get one off a lot or go back to our 4 1/2ft fake one. Oh well, it's worth it!<br /><br />We got it home in one piece and cut the stump and stuck it in the holder. Then we bought more lights, because an 8ft tall 5ft wide tree needs a lot of lights. By this evening the tree was sparsly decorated and all lit up. I say sparsly because we just don't have enough to cover this tree. It's just an excuse to make decorations. I plan to make a paperchain and a popcorn chain as well as printing out some pictures to make ornaments. We'll fill the tree in no time.<br /><br />So, after putting it up and joking about cutting the baling(bailing?) being a sceen from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation <object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g7T4TyOWR8U&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g7T4TyOWR8U&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Thankfully it happened in a less dramatic fashion.<br /><br />We have to find a tree topper but otherwise we're done. Thank goodness!Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-92109486269071000092009-12-01T13:35:00.000-08:002009-12-01T13:47:30.621-08:00The best part of an adult christmasToday I turned the <a href="http://www.pandora.com/">Pandora</a> station to Christmas Music and dug up the box of decorations. I was surprised, as I am every year, that I only have a single box of decor. I mean, really?? We need to get with the family making homemade decorations thing.<br /><br />So as I'm unpacking the box, I'm hanging things. Pretty much putting them up in the same order they came down. So the first thing to go up is my tinsel and multicolored light strand that I wrap around our banister every year.<br /><br />This year, David is old enough to get into christmas. He watched my drag it out and plug it in so I could begin replacing bulbs and untangling it. He instantly fell in love. He declared them "his colors" and that he loved them. He just stands looking at them like they're the best thing ever.<br /><br />When I set up our tiny fake tree with it's lights, he had a similar response. He came downstairs and gasped and pointed "What's that?!"<br /><br />I love this stage. When they start noticing all the pretty lights and decorations that go up this time of year. I wish I could have kids forever just to repeat this stage. Where christmas and birthdays become something they 'get'.<br /><br />I've got plans for making ornaments this year with the kids. Perhaps we'll make several and send them to grandparents. Who doesn't want a felt covered picture decoration? I know that the time I have to do things like this with the kids is limited. So this year, I hope to do it all. Gingerbread houses, baking cookies for Santa, making ornaments, ect.<br /><br />I want my children to have warm fuzzy memories about xmas and family time like I do of my childhood. There are many things I can't give my children, especially this year, but I can give them happy memories and love. And at the end of the day, that's what matter most.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-78030554801969351752009-11-30T15:39:00.000-08:002009-11-30T16:03:02.686-08:00Embarrassment and writing well<span style="font-style: italic;">So Mrs. Flinger is hosting a challenge called <a href="http://mrs.flinger.us/index.php?/blog/blog_permalink/where_have_all_the_good_blogs_gone/">{W}rites of Passage</a></span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">Because I'm SO qualified, I thought I'd take the challenge. At the very least it'll get me posting, right?<br /><br /></span>So today's challenge is Embarrassing Moments. I'll have to reach some<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>because I rarely embarrass myself. It's not like I'm clumsy like the day is long or say things that I shouldn't. I'd never do anything like that.<br /><br />Now, after some digging I remembered dumping tomato soup on my lovely new white blue jeans. I remember some period horror in Jr. High.<br /><br />By far though my most embarrassing memory is being busted for being where I shouldn't. I was a teen, though barely, and Jo, my best friend in the whole wide world, was two years older.<br /><br />As an adult, two years isn't a huge deal, but as a teen? HUGE. FREAKING. DEAL. Not to mention I had a big ol' crush on her older brother.<br /><br />So, back to the story. I got permission from my father to stay the night with my best friend, Jo, but was told to go directly to her house(two blocks away) and call when I got there. Well I got there and Jo suggested going to a popular teen hang out where the owners were lax about the rules. They would look the other way while we played the juke box, played pool, and smoked. The ultimate of cool at that age. Of course, we headed directly there.<br /><br />Anyone catch what I forgot to do?? Oh yeah, call my father.<br /><br />So after hanging out and rocking out to Black Velvet, I see my father drive by. I immediately left my perch on the bar stool and slunk to the ground. Nothing suspicious about that right?<br /><br />In walks my father, with my little brother in tow, and he spots me and stomps across the room.<br /><br />Now, at this point, I'll tell you that my father was a police officer. He no longer worked there, but he was remembered. Everyone gave him a wide berth. He came over and yelled "ARE YOU HIDING FROM ME?!" To which I replied "No, I dropped...my purse. See?" Holding up the purse that hadn't left my shoulder all night. He yanked me up so fast my teeth slammed together and threw me over his shoulder.<br /><br />At this point, the floor could have opened up and swallowed me at any point, and that'd have been fine with me. But no, life doesn't work that way. I glanced up to see Jo wave bye and the oh-so-hot brother and his oh-so-hot friends laughing at me.<br /><br />I'm actually feeling a little embarrassed right now just remembering. I never went back there or forgot to call my father ever again. Not that I was let out of his sight for ages, but you know, once I could, I called without fail. Lesson learned, Dad, lesson learned.<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=ba6d7578-4016-4a44-89c4-f85a150886f7"></script><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-20171677149227263762009-11-16T21:37:00.000-08:002009-11-16T22:01:30.014-08:00A Weekend AdventureThis last weekend we went to Edwin's mothers to visit. My nephew Joey was in town so we let the cousins play together.<br /><br />My previously tense relationship with my MIL has eased remarkably. We're actually bordering on friends. I don't know what changed but I'm not going to look the gift horse in the mouth.<br /><br />I was still suffering from a cold this weekend, had a wicked cough. So after not sleeping all Saturday night, I got up and took some Nyquil. When I looked at the clock on my way back to bed I saw it was 6am! Flippin' daylight savings! So I slept and slept and stumbled around drunk, and slept some more. I was out of it ALL day.<br /><br />The kids had a blast together which was nice. They always enjoy one another's company. They ran around and made the house sound like it was full of elephants so I'm sure MIL and her dog were glad when everyone left.<br /><br />Lori's been doing her new school for a week and seems to like it so far. She's doing well I think but I'll cop to not fully getting it in the minute details but hope to find the rest out as I go. Still have some tutorials to go through.<br /><br />The holidays are rapidly approaching and I have no plans in place. Thanksgiving will be just another day. Perhaps we'll get REAL festive and get chinese take out.<br /><br />Today I heard that there was flood watch and wind advisory for our town. The first thing that struck me? A song. "It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...." Pacific Northwest winter you are a predictable bitch.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-51951275908803685022009-11-11T11:21:00.000-08:002009-11-11T11:27:46.836-08:00Sickness and the broken couchSo today I'm feeling much better, but to put that in perspective yesterday I laid on the couch and made Lori help with David. And of course by "help" I mean do it all. I was one sick puppy. The kids had sandwiches for lunch and dinner because Edwin was at work. Today I'm slowly putting the house back to rights. A single sick day for mom means a destroyed house. Thus far I've caught up on dishes(you wouldn't think there'd be so many since there was no cooking) swept the kitchen floor, vacuumed, and put the slip cover back on our couch after washing it.<br /><br />Which brings up the second part of this title. When I lifted up the couch to secure the slip cover I saw a HUGE crack down the middle of our front support in our couch. So now we have to try and find a new one. *sigh* Don't know how we'll do that.<br /><br />See?? One day with Mom off the clock and the whole house falls apart.<br /><br />So I have to go back to cleaning the house up and child wrangling but thought I'd update since I hadn't in forever.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-84796456187099298832009-10-30T22:45:00.001-07:002009-10-30T22:47:23.379-07:00The rest of the costumes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfKzEpk1Z7KF6L2eCYPa1oHB66a6235a5fAmCwqA7pcGpdJRnkaZVua6FQITXkhcMSyejbxlhPJI5EXF4Ayd9R1ydLSVwvzZWtkeDWzB4hmMX607330BXQ_M9r1o_09hM2Jju-Oyy5sNe/s1600-h/100_0891.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfKzEpk1Z7KF6L2eCYPa1oHB66a6235a5fAmCwqA7pcGpdJRnkaZVua6FQITXkhcMSyejbxlhPJI5EXF4Ayd9R1ydLSVwvzZWtkeDWzB4hmMX607330BXQ_M9r1o_09hM2Jju-Oyy5sNe/s320/100_0891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398636333478814738" border="0" /></a><br />Done, all done! Thank heavens. Kids look cute, I'm proud of my work. And I'll post pics of the post sugar high tomorrow!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvtxcQfmBmJd0hxD0oT5eYTaHke8MTY8GHqK1uUVpE0d5dg0OZ_3pDildx9mPoWsxfnq2zrYVN5TxrJYxRZRBNa-eqNKlWWCJt5zhbnHJvzyCPZ3_OUNSjCeb2vdqn_03MCviP08EnNI9/s1600-h/100_0889.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvtxcQfmBmJd0hxD0oT5eYTaHke8MTY8GHqK1uUVpE0d5dg0OZ_3pDildx9mPoWsxfnq2zrYVN5TxrJYxRZRBNa-eqNKlWWCJt5zhbnHJvzyCPZ3_OUNSjCeb2vdqn_03MCviP08EnNI9/s320/100_0889.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398636328193719202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3XuZQ_bY3gzIfTQkTRA1sEPQBf2H1la2JvyvLW69CiSAm1LSEkriWPQOIuUbvzw0mthzMu4qqDmFym5nPsCN_i_Fwppby8671FaI2HSzyduoyqt5ugHJgAGyH2co7nmwQHdqO7VNE_u_/s1600-h/100_0887.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3XuZQ_bY3gzIfTQkTRA1sEPQBf2H1la2JvyvLW69CiSAm1LSEkriWPQOIuUbvzw0mthzMu4qqDmFym5nPsCN_i_Fwppby8671FaI2HSzyduoyqt5ugHJgAGyH2co7nmwQHdqO7VNE_u_/s320/100_0887.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398636322969782690" border="0" /></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-25072787009612372692009-10-25T22:19:00.001-07:002009-10-25T22:23:19.895-07:00Halloween she is a comin'Halloween is almost here. Got two of my three costumes done. Here's David's. Need to take photo's of Lori's and started on Michelle's. I never want to sew again. I'm loving the creativity of it but it's exhausting. At least the kids look stinkin' cute!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wn6WbKzbcE-kOA58GjL8H6BSZymjpITwZzk2BkejeiGoNYdxEOO3D0EtZgovSI3zmTo2Ttn44zzBMZFV_S_BEtk3ddXA0F91c7Gz12qp-VfW9C9AZ5NDa9uyc6PWd5N4T1SUO_O5ZfM5/s1600-h/100_0885.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wn6WbKzbcE-kOA58GjL8H6BSZymjpITwZzk2BkejeiGoNYdxEOO3D0EtZgovSI3zmTo2Ttn44zzBMZFV_S_BEtk3ddXA0F91c7Gz12qp-VfW9C9AZ5NDa9uyc6PWd5N4T1SUO_O5ZfM5/s320/100_0885.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396774220784876514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV-mBrsF1T_kCnlhQPm_JWRd8HkJHfd_nlH0Sf2gnemysNT3B85sdeg9Qc8hROV23RB1pENP-kfZKLWunQYzfC-PCoxs0gPsROMIwRgruXjXuWoqoQu2rwJjg62M7IFWwH20llYuo8Rbv/s1600-h/100_0884.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV-mBrsF1T_kCnlhQPm_JWRd8HkJHfd_nlH0Sf2gnemysNT3B85sdeg9Qc8hROV23RB1pENP-kfZKLWunQYzfC-PCoxs0gPsROMIwRgruXjXuWoqoQu2rwJjg62M7IFWwH20llYuo8Rbv/s320/100_0884.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396774159500133986" border="0" /></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1605760736287953495.post-44808630411306296602009-10-20T14:27:00.000-07:002009-10-20T14:33:40.051-07:00Back in the saddleBack on my pills after stopping for a week. Man, that was a rough week. So angry. So, clearly going to have to stay on these forever. That's a hard realization.<br /><br />In other news, I got to see the cutest little cousin EVER! Wish I had a picture to post(hint hint mom).<br /><br />So, I'm surfing the web while I SHOULD be sewing. I cleaned the house pretty well the other day so that's less of a concern but Halloween is coming fast and I have 3 costumes to sew! And a table runner. Ugh! I need a tv in my sewing room so I can sew my fingers.. sheesh..<br /><br />So, to recap: need pills, am procrastinating, cute expanding family, queen of bad ideas.Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921449422181751607noreply@blogger.com1